I feel there are reasons to be hopeful that in 2022 we can make big gains in saving native ecosystems if we apply the right pressure.
I have recently come across a new source of information, inspiration, and opportunity to act. Endangered Ecosystems Alliance (EEA) is a relatively new non-profit environmental group. They have just been granted charitable tax status. The executive director is Ken Wu. One of the science advisors is Andy MacKinnon. To me, those participants signal knowledge, integrity, courage, and smart ideas.
Here are my 22 reasons for hope this year, mostly gleaned from the positive messages put out by Endangered Ecosystems Alliance:
- Our new Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has been tasked with establishing 10 new National Parks and 10 new National Marine Conservation areas over the next five years and 15 new National Urban Parks by 2030.
- The Federal Government is aiming to increase 22 National Wildlife Areas, helping to ensure that 25% of Canadian land and marine areas will be protected by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
- The Federal Government has allocated $2.3 billion to protecting land and freshwater ecosystems across Canada.
- The Federal Government has allocated $1 billion to expand marine protected areas, including Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA’s).
- The $4 billion Natural Climate Solutions Fund also targets protecting nature.
- Quebec is moving ahead with establishing protected areas.
- Nova Scotia is moving ahead with establishing protected areas.
- Saskatchewan has established Prairie Pastures Conservation Area.
- PEI Parks Canada is creating a new National Park Reserve.
- BC is slowly moving forward on the South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Reserve.
- BC has approved the Jumbo Pass (Qat’muk) Indigenous Protected Conservation Area.
- Alberta had to backtrack on coal mine proposals and exploration due to public pressure.
- Alberta had to backtrack on eliminating 175 provincial parks, and natural and recreation areas due to public pressure.
- BC is moving towards protecting large tracts of old-growth forests. (Ken Wu says we’re making huge leaps forward.)
- This spring Canada will take part in negotiating a new protected areas agreement at the UN Biodiversity Conference, aiming for 30% by 2030.
- Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas continue to expand across Canada.
- Environment and climate change now top the polls as concerns for Canadians.
- COP 27 in November 2022 will emphasize natural climate solutions and protecting nature.
My last four reasons to be hopeful come from what Endangered Ecosystems Alliance intends to do going forward:
- EEA intends to work toward a Federal Endangered Ecosystem Act.
- EEA intends to build more support from “non-traditional allies” (businesses, unions, faith groups, outdoor recreation groups).
- EEA is setting up a fund to help protect Crown Land and First Nations unceded lands.
- In some cases, EEA intends to help land trusts buy private land as a path to protection.
Let’s make 2022 a very productive year for environmental protection.